Speed and agility game

ABSTRACT

An athletic game, or sport where a player interacts with ricocheting ping pong balls emitting from an apparatus, challenging the player&#39;s reaction speed, and dexterity. The apparatus is wall mounted at about eye-level, or higher, said apparatus containing one or more ball retaining, and dispensing apertures that are controlled by a programmed chip. The game is played by a player anticipating a series of balls; that have no predictable sequence, being dropped from any one of several orifices, seeing each ball drop, strike a shelf, then bounce upward, giving the player an attempt to catch, net, hit, or shoot at a time interval controlled series of balls, before any can reach the floor.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/917,265, filed Nov. 30, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference, to the extent that it is not conflicting with the present application.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

There are very few electronically enhanced games that can be considered athletic. Other than being good for hand/eye coordination, a typical “gamer” uses very few muscles while playing, and there is little effort that relates to real life. The games I describe in this application are all actual, not “virtual” reality. My apparatus offers an alternative for people to escape from the computer screen. Beneficial for all ages, especially for athletes and older people, it provides fun, recreation, and competition with oneself, or others, at very low expense. Considering the intensity, this game would be considered a sport by serious players.

BRIEF INVENTION SUMMARY

The game is played by turning on the electrical system on the control box and selecting a skill level (the disbursement speed), number of balls to play, then instigating the start sequence. The game begins at the conclusion of the audio alert tone. An eye-level wall mounted apparatus will deploy a ball from one of several apertures (current prototype has five), the ball will fall about two to three feet to strike a shelf below, then rebound upward, and slightly toward the player, who tries, (depending on the game), to accomplish one of several interactions with the ball before the ball can hit the ground. This follows rapidly by another ball, and another, until the full game has played out when the required number of balls has been dispersed and played. The player has no way of anticipating which of the several apertures will release the ball. Essentially the player has an electronic adversary. The apparatus has a microchip for a brain and uses gravity for muscle. The use of small push/pull solenoids is reliable, cheap, and requires very little electricity.

Activities

The Speed and Agility Game Apparatus offers many variations of how the player interacts with the balls. (Most don't allow for a score if the ball hits the floor.) Some activities are:

-   -   Catching with bare hands, (the player deposits the caught balls         into a trash can or other appropriate receptacle type container         that has some dampening effect to retain the balls).     -   Catching the balls with the aid of a hand-held net.     -   Shooting at moving target balls with BB's, or airsoft pellets,         or other projectiles.     -   Blindfolded catching, (by listening to the noise from the ball         bouncing off the shelf).     -   Hitting, or batting at the ball. (By using a paddle or racket to         direct it with the intention of placing it through a         substantially vertical hole with a net type capture system for a         successful score.)     -   Using different colored balls. (This allows for other games like         batting the ball thru the matching colored goal, or catching the         red ones left-handed, or not shooting the blue ones.)

NUMBERED LIST OF PARTS

-   -   LED's Light emitting diode 5 Mounting board 6     -   Tubes for ball containment 7         -   Ball         -   Apparatus body, ball housing unit (molded) 9 NOTE All shown             without cover plate, or the outer wall facing players.     -   single molded unit 34 wall mount 10     -   chambers (voids) for ball storage 11 aperture (opening) 12     -   recess for cover plate (plate not shown) 13     -   picture attachment means such as super magnets. 14     -   reservoir to load balls for all adjacent holding chambers 102     -   Electronic strip 15 solenoid housing body 16     -   solenoids, or other suitable component 17 wiring, or cable 18     -   rods or other attachment means to ball housing 19     -   plug socket for removable wire to control box 21 an LED with the         solenoid 5         -   Shelf 22     -   wall attachment means to shelf 20     -   drop down connector to the ball housing unit 23 shelf angle         adjustment and fastening nut 24     -   the shelf consisting of woven elastic strings supported by a         frame, such as found in a     -   tennis racket, to provide a higher, or more dynamic rebound than         a hard surface. 52         -   Control box 43, having a programmed chip 25, on/off switch             26, drop frequency dial 27, start/stop/pause sequence             control button 28, two at a time control 29, wireless             transmitter 30, other desirable control features 31, (Like a             knob, or dial to control the number of balls to be played.)             53 A movable chip to provide for a variety of different             games, and actions. (not shown)         -   Power supply ac/dc transformer, batteries for cordless 32,             power cord 33, wall socket 42         -   Target/goal for batting games 35, main body 36, goal holes             37, stand 38, net 39,     -   base 40         -   Trough with net 41         -   Side of shelf with irregular surface 50, threaded post 51,             wall mount with slot for post (one of a pair) 20         -   Reservoir top void of apparatus 54

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 Shown is a side view of the apparatus set up indoors. A wall with an eight-foot ceiling is depicted, with unseen wall mounting device 10. Instead of the shelf 22 being affixed to the wall, it is supported by lines, wires, or rods 23 that are connected to the apparatus body above 9. The recess holes for the rods to retract into are also depicted, but not the telescoping, (neither are numbered). A trough 41 to catch discarded balls is shown containing a bounce resisting net, or dampening material 41. The tightening and release nut for adjusting the shelf angle is shown 24. The control box 43 and wire, or cable 18 that connects the apparatus to the controls, the AC to DC transformer 32.

FIG. 2A Illustrates an alternate version constructed of five tubes 7 affixed to a mounting board 6. Pictured as mounted to a wall, straight on view, with solenoids 17. LED's not shown 5

FIG. 2B Bottom view showing the component strip 15 that is the lower part of the apparatus. Shown turned sideways in line as it connects to the main body 9, showing apertures 12 and solenoids 17, (or any other appropriate electrical component).

FIG. 2C Side view of component strip as it connects to the body housing 9, showing solenoids 17, (or other appropriate component 17), and LED's 5.

FIG. 3 Shows a modular unit (one ball chamber void 11, with a single aperture 12), (minus shelf, and controls), featuring my shorter, more compact ball chamber apparatus' material saving design. The use of zigzag channels 11 uses significantly less material than a vertical ball housing construction would, like depicted in FIG. 2A. Please note the slower gravity feed slope adjacent the aperture which allows for more time for the solenoid post to return to the normal ball blocking position.

FIG. 4 Shows the front view of a home version apparatus with 5 disbursement points (apertures 12). The unit depicted has a clear cover that retains the balls. The shelf 22 is normally located lower, and further from the main body 9 than shown. The adjustment nut(s) 24 that adjust the angle, or are removed temporarily to flip, and reverse the shelves side are shown.

FIG. 5. Shown is a partial representation sectional view of a molded ball housing of rigid foam like EPS (expanded polystyrene foam) with just a single aperture 12. The foam density would be similar to an ice chest, (two pounds per PSF or so).

FIG. 6 Shows a goal target that hangs from a ceiling for paddle play. 36

FIG. 7 Shows a goal propped up from the floor. 43

FIG. 8 Shows a side view of the multiple target goals 36, with nets 39, with ball stopping net retainers, base 40 is of a heavy material, or weighted down, or can be propped up, or both.

FIG. 9 Shows the front view of the multiple goal with the net system shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 Shows a sectional view of a partial representation of a wall mountable, angle adjustable, and reversible shelf 22 that has a threaded post 51.

FIG. 10B Shows the hand tightening type threaded nut (one of a pair) 24.

FIG. 10C Is a side view of a wall mount (one of two) 20, having a slot for the post.

FIG. 11 Apparatus with reservoir chamber for ball loading. (partial view)

FIG. 12. Partial view of shelf end, showing notches for connecting shelf to apparatus

with lines, and partial view of line with knot to hold shelf

FIG. 13 Apparatus shown with ball fill reservoir. 54

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A rebounding ball game, or recreational pastime facilitated by a programmed electronic chip and player controls 25-31, comprising of an apparatus/system of gravity fed containers, which open briefly to allow the release of one, (or multiple), balls to drop out of the ball housing 9 aperture 17 at precise time sequences, to descend to strike a horizontally disposed narrow shelf like structure 22 about the same length as the ball housing, but placed approximately eighteen to forty inches, or further, directly below the ball housing container/apparatus 9. The shelf is either affixed to the wall with a mount 22, or held by lines, or rods 23 connected to the ball housing. A practical home version could be about one meter wide, with five microchip-controlled aperture blockers, and corresponding ball storage chambers. The games are played by turning on the electrical system with the control box 43, and selecting the disbursement speed, and then instigating the start sequence. The preferred embodiment has three electronic tones about a half second apart, signaling that the ball dropping sequence is about to start. The apparatus can be made with no component strip by placing the wiring, and components into the ball housing body 9. Adjacent the solenoid is an LED 5 which lights up when the solenoid is electrified.

Components

The components of my Speed and Agility Game are:

-   -   The apparatus' top portion I call the ball housing body 9, it         retains the balls 8, and attaches to the electronic strip.     -   The electronic strip 15 which contains the wired electronic ball         releasing components (like solenoids) 17, LED's 5, and wiring.     -   The shelf 23 is the length of the ball housing 9, it is narrow,         and can have two playable sides, it has a threaded post 51, with         corresponding tightening nuts 24 on each end to adjust the         bounce angle of the shelf 23, or to change the playing side of         the shelf. One side flat, and smooth, one side 50 can be         irregular to cause the ball to take a less predictable direction         after bouncing from the shelf surface. The shelf can be attached         to a wall, or held by rods 23 that can be solid, or able to         telescope shorter for when the game is not in use. A reasonable         width can be about two inches wide.     -   An electrical control box that contains the programmed         microchip, and control buttons/dials 25-31, Power supply 32,         wiring, optional wireless transmitters. The preferred embodiment         has as an option having electronic tones sounding about a half         second apart as a countdown.     -   The game balls 8, (so far prototypes have only used ping pong         balls.)

Single Unit

Same as previously mentioned except the apparatus is a single modular unit 34 having only one ball housing chamber 12, one aperture, and one release mechanism. (see FIGS. 2, and 5) The module could be placed side by side with other modules on the same plane, to form a plurality necessary for a good game set-up. This method of construction would be practical because the molds would cost considerably less. Also, if each unit was set a few feet apart, instead of the closer distance apart in the home version FIG. 4, it would provide a quick basketball type of workout.

Control Box

The control box housing is provided with a plurality of operational buttons, (not shown in drawings), with on/off, start, pause, with a dial that adjusts the frequency of the ball disbursement, for setting various skill level speeds, and may contain an optional short play selector to only allow a given number of balls to be released. The microchip can be programmed with a random command, or with an extremely long command code that lasts for many play sequences, (starting where the last play ended, or arbitrary). Thus, a player can not anticipate from which aperture the next chambered ball will descend from. A control option would be player voice activated, to start, stop, or pause the play.

Strip

A strip holding the electrical components 16 and wiring that fits snugly into the bottom portion of the apparatus 9, made to line solenoid 16 adjacent orifices up with the apertures 12. The drop sequence is generated by a random firing chip technology, or by having code a very long drop sequence programmed that the player is dissuaded to try to memorize, preferably incorporating solenoids 17. resistors, diodes, transistors, or any suitable electronic mechanism that will unblock the apertures when electrified.

Shelf

As previously mentioned with a shelf 22 connected to the ball storing apparatus 9 by lines, cords, wires, or rods 23 that telescope to be shorter so the rods can retract into, or behind the apparatus, so as not to be seen when the game is not in use. A shelf built of a shape, or material that provides an enhanced impact sound when a ball strikes the shelf. A shelf that is mounted directly to a wall with a support arms 20 that are angled away from the wall with an adjustment nut 24 on each end of the shelf for angle adjustment and to reverse, and flip the shelf surface, The shelf is adjustable to change the angle of deflection to alter the ball trajectory. At the connection point a loosen/tightening means 24 allows for angle changes and the ability to flip the shelf over. For example, for shooting at balls, the player might prefer the balls to bounce straight up, instead of the slight angle toward the player that is preferred for catching, and batting. To provide more variety, one side of the shelf is smooth, the other side 50 surface may be textured, bumpy, or slightly uneven to provide a more unpredictable trajectory after bouncing from the shelf surface. An option would for more, “pop”; The shelf consisting of woven elastic strings supported by a frame, such as found in a tennis racket, to provide a higher, more dynamic rebound than a hard surface would. Another option would be a shelf built in separate segments, each positioned below an aperture, made of materials that provide a different distinctive impact sound, or tone (as does a xylophone) when a ball strikes a corresponding portion of the shelf. For sightless play, or as a novelty.

Single Units

The game could also be utilized if broken into separate units, as in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5, each unit being comprised of a single unit housing with ball holding capacity, release mechanism, corresponding shelf, wall mounting attachment, wires, or wireless receiver. The apparatus having exterior (first and last) units being detachable, and movable to offer a wider “playing field”, requiring more player mobility, more difficulty, and challenge. Such single units can be controlled by microwaves with a battery connected to an electronic ball release circuit for wireless operation, or longer wires going to each unit from the control and power source.

No Shelf

-   -   Same as an apparatus previously mentioned except without a         shelf, with games entailing the ball striking, and bouncing         upward after hitting a hard floor, or concrete surface.     -   The molded ball container units have a recess 13 around the         perimeter to accommodate a cover plate. The plate that covers         any ball housing can be made of a clear material to enhance the         game apparatus' looks, and to provide an observant player an         advantage with games using colored balls. The cover plate can be         rigid, stiff, or flexible.

Hidden from View

The system can easily be taken down to be stored out of sight when not in use. If the players or co-residents desire only normal appearing wall decor when the game is not being used, there is an alternative. The cord to the power strip can be unplugged, the shelf removed from the line, or retracted up into the ball housing. The apparatus' cover panel can be temporarily re-covered by artwork, family photos, or the like, by being attached with super strong magnets, clips, or other temporary fastening means.

ACTIVITIES

-   -   Another version of play would be to incorporate a handheld net         to catch balls.     -   Another way to use my speed and agility game is to use something         similar to a ping pong paddle, wicket, tennis, or badminton         racquet to propel the balls toward a target with a cut-out void         containing a catch net for a score. See FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9.     -   Using colored balls for use in various games, for instance the         yellow balls have to be caught lefthanded, or hit toward a color         matching target FIG. 9     -   Apparatus necessitated games played where the ball is supposed         to bounce on the ground, or a floor instead of a shelf     -   A shelf of a shape, or material that has longitudinally         distinctive impact sounds

where a ball strikes the along the shelf, giving an unsighted sighted player a clue.

-   -   The apparatus could be used for martial arts training by         hitting, kicking, or dodging the balls.     -   The balls can be shot at as moving targets with airsoft BB's.     -   The apparatus provides a moving target for martial art practice,         such as a spinning back kick, or punch.

Construction

A beautiful ball housing could be made mostly of wood, or even painted cardboard. One way to manufacture is by boring out a foam block that is, (for example), approximately 10″ tall×36″ long×2″ thick, with the chambers 11 routed/machine cut into the foam to allow for the storage, and disbursement voids 11 in the upper area of the apparatus body 9. This would offer the cheapest way to start-up, using hot wire cutting to cut blocks to size, and then CNC routing out chambers that are just slightly larger than the diameter of the balls, but leaving enough foam remaining for a back panel on the uncut side. For larger scale production a better method to produce large quantities is by molding a rigid foam block of material like expanded polystyrene with voids within that will contain the balls, (and exit holes), but again still offer enough material to form the back panel of the ball housing. Said block has a slight recess 13 to accommodate a cover plate that can be clear plastic to form a window, and mounting brackets 20 to affix the apparatus to a wall, and means for attaching a shelf 51, 24. The voids are formed in a zigzag configuration that will allow a gravity feed to replace dispersed balls. The chamber portion near the aperture has a gentle angled slope so as to slow the ball to give the solenoid more time to block the next ball. The solenoid has the armature in the non-electrified “off” to block the ball from falling. It may be necessary to extend the armature, that serves to block balls.

EPS

One embodiment has the majority of the apparatus constructed from molded EPS. This reduces assembling, and material costs by eliminating the need for parts like tubular structures 7, and a back panel 6. Furthermore, the need for machining prior to assembly is reduced because the recess for the cover plate, and the recess' for electronic components 17, and wires are molded in, thus fewer parts are needed, including the body of the electronic strip 16. The ball housing bodies 9 may be molded with a technique that causes denser plastic foam to be on the part surface resulting in imparting a hard shell.

Molded

The ball housings may be molded in two parts, a softer low density (say one pound per sq. ft.) forming the interior, and a harder, higher density foam of similar, or different composition, to form a “frame” that will be assembled onto/around the interior part resulting in making the edges of the apparatus stronger. A simple vacuum formed plastic sheet could form the majority of the ball housing.

Electronic Strip

An elongated bar or strip of plastic, wood, metal, or suitable material of similar length as the ball housing that has integrated within the wiring, and the electrical components arranged in position to line up with the corresponding apertures above. The part fits snugly or has snap-in type plastic fasteners to attach to the bottom of the ball container apparatus.

Extras

-   -   Multiple channel voids with one common container ball holding         reservoir. The balls could be flush across the top of the         reservoir when the apparatus is to be fully loaded. FIG. 11, and         FIG. 13     -   A series of open “pass thru” targets FIG. 9, distinguished by         color, with a net trap 39 to catch the balls that “score” by         going through the hole 37. The target colors correspond to the         ball's color, (red ball aimed toward the red target, etc.)     -   The game can be played using a trough like container, (as         opposed to a wastebasket), angled, and padded to catch and         retain balls that are quickly deposited, to enable the player to         empty their hands in order to catch more balls. Also used in the         shooting game variation to catch balls that were hit, and         knocked backward towards the wall, (behind the apparatus).     -   A small container fastened by a belt worn around the players         waist, to catch caught balls, or to attempt to catch with pelvic         movement, no handed.

And Furthermore

Other and further embodiments utilizing one or more aspects of the game described above can be devised without departing from the spirit of my application. For example, my ball drop system may drop more than one ball simultaneously and/or a plurality of players may practice their skills together. My Speed and Agility Game has a variety of applications, like ambidextrous catching, sightless catching, pet training, shooting airsoft guns at moving targets, (Don't shoot the blue ball), and martial arts punching and kicking practice.

Alternative Embodiments

-   -   The apparatus can be built to be much wider and containing many         more, or fewer apertures/ball housings systems if desired.     -   The apparatus built as one unit, with no electronic strip,         instead having the wiring, and solenoids inserted within the         bottom of the ball housing.     -   Different materials can be used for all components.     -   The apparatus with any number of housing/aperture systems is         claimed.     -   The apparatus having wireless receiver activated solenoids on         all aperture chutes.     -   An apparatus that uses balls smaller than ping pong balls.     -   My apparatus constructed with larger chambers for balls         exceeding 40 mm. in diameter, (ping pong ball).     -   My apparatus constructed by using tubes instead of molded         channels as in FIG. 1.     -   Using switches, electronic gates, servos, etc. instead of         solenoids in the apparatus.     -   PLD, or any of several type of chips, including ARDUINO.     -   Having a control setting that starts disbursement slow then         progressively faster on the control box, programmed into the         microchip.     -   A telescoping bar that allows for the outside ball         dispensers/holders to spread out when mounted on a wall.     -   Wall mountings that allow for the outside ball         dispensers/holders to spread out.     -   Having tones to enhance presentation by announcing when the game         is starting.     -   Having LED's or lights lit, and when each ball is about to be         released.     -   Having a tone played when each ball is about to be released for         blindfolded play.     -   The Apparatus' upper portion (ball housing), construction formed         of plastic sheet

thermoformed by vacuum, injection molding or other methods to provide ball retaining chambers to be formed in a panel, with an overall perimeter shape that is normally rectangular, but could be of many other different shapes.

-   -   Controls may be executed by other means such as infrared rays, a         wireless LAN, Bluetooth, Arduino, etc. Alternatively, they may         be connected by wire, or combination of wired, and wireless         transmission to the apparatus' units.     -   A shelf with a longitudinally concave surface.     -   A shelf with a longitudinally convex surface.     -   A shelf of a shape, or material that provides an enhanced sound         whenever a ball strikes a shelf     -   Having a footswitch attached to the control box for activating         the controls.     -   The apparatus cover plate can be clear, or opaque.     -   The game's chip, or program, could be programmed so a player who         desired to would have an indication of which aperture will open         next, by lights, or noises.     -   The game's chip, or program, could be programmed to go         progressively faster during the play cycle.     -   The balls being released, not by gravity, but put into play by a         type of eject mechanism.     -   The power source is from using rechargeable batteries.     -   The chip being a PLD (programmable logic device).     -   The shelf attached to the ball housing can be hung from a line,         cord, cable, of rigid, or flexible material.     -   The electronic strip being made of plastic by injection molding.     -   The apparatus being made partially from wood.     -   The ball housing that is made of plastic by injection molding.     -   Multiple channel voids with one common container ball holding         reservoir to facilitate easy loading by “pouring in” the balls.         The balls could be flush across the top of the reservoir when         fully loaded. FIG. 11     -   A single tube, or gutter fed disbursement chute that moves from         side to side to disperse balls at different angles to strike the         shelf in different places.     -   The shelf is divided into separate sections, one just below each         aperture, each section producing a different tone, or sound,         similar to a xylophone, for sightless game play.     -   A shelf with notches that make a simple angle adjustment using         two, or more, lines, or strings, the angle caused by the         off-centered weight. A single string on each end probably being         sufficient. FIG. 12     -   Servo switches, and step motors are another option rather than         solenoids.     -   the shelf consisting of woven elastic strings supported by a         frame, such as found in a tennis racket, to provide a higher, or         more dynamic rebound than a hard surface.     -   A single tube, or gutter fed disbursement chute that is powered         to move from side to side to disperse balls at different angles         to strike the shelf in different places.

Many components, (and voids) have been given multiple terms, hopefully I was not in error. (For example; gates, aperture, orifice, chute) (housing, container, chamber etc.) 

What is claimed is:
 1. A game device as disclosed herein. 